Page 97 of Sins of the Father

I toss my phone on my lap and turn to Anna. “Are you doing anything between one and two thirty?”

“Besides trying to stay away from conversations with my brother?”

I wince. “Is Chase hounding you?”

“Yeah. He keeps telling me I’m not going back to New York.”

“You can’t go back to Mitch.”

Her face hardens, and she focuses on Hope.

I put my hand on her arm. “Anna.”

She wipes her face. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay.”

“Why did you ask me what I was doing?”

“I need to go see Steven. He’s free at one thirty. Could you stay here and watch Hope? I’ll be back no later than two thirty.”

“Are you going to be nice to him?”

You have no idea.

“Yep. Promise.”

“Okay. I’d love to stay.”

“Thanks. Can you watch her while I go get ready?”

“Sure.”

I shower and put my maximum effort into getting ready. I curl my hair and make sure my makeup is flawless. Then I put on my black stockings, garter belt, crotchless panties, and black lace and mesh teddy. It’s barely there, crisscrossing across my stomach and covering my nipples but displays the fullness of my breasts. I throw a long sweater dress over my lingerie and slide into my four-inch stilettos.

Since I don’t have my purse, I go into Quinn’s closet and borrow one. I toss a packet of baby wipes and my makeup and compact mirror in it.

When I walk out to the family room, Anna lifts her eyebrows. “You look ready for getting down to business.”

“Ha ha.”

I notify Jamison’s driver and pick up Hope. “Auntie Harper will be back shortly. You be good for Anna.”

She pulls on my hair.

I kiss her and give her back to Anna.

“Have fun,” Anna chirps.

“See you soon.”

It doesn’t take long to get to Steven’s work, but when I get to the security desk, I text Shira. “I’m here, but I had my purse stolen and don’t have my driver’s license.”

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

She comes down, works her magic, and we get in the elevator. My stomach flips from nerves.

“You look nice.” She smirks.

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